J.K. Rowling will receive the Freedom of the City of London on Tuesday, May 8 for services in children’s literature.

The international bestselling author was very proud of her achievement and said:

Both my parents were Londoners. They met on a train departing from King’s Cross Station in 1964, and while neither of them ever lived in London again, both their daughters headed straight for the capital the moment that they were independent. To me, London is packed with personal memories, but it has never lost the aura of excitement and mystery that it had during trips to see family as a child.

The Lord Mayor of the City of London, Alderman David Wootton, also commented on J.K. Rowling’s services to children’s literature:

Her Freedom, which is bestowed on her for services to children’s literature, recognises two unique achievements – the astonishing success of the series, and the way in which Harry Potter’s adventures have not only enthralled book lovers, but also encouraged many young people to lose themselves in a book for the first time.

Congratulations to Jo on this great honor! We know it was greatly earned! You can view the full press release here.

I love how Harry and Ginny, Ron and Hermione also met in King’s Cross for the first time. Train or station. :D

Great honor! Looking forward to the new book :D

http://twitter.com/NatashaPeartree Natasha Pereira

Jo deserves every accolade there is!

RussellTurner

Congrats JO! (Hope you read this, haha)

Emma

Congrats, Jo!!!! Hugely deserved!!!!!

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